Local Look: New Hampshire

Local papers covering: Concord Monitor, Manchester Union-Leader, New York Times

The deal: Dave D'Onofrio of the Concord Monitor says scanning the last 11 years and 19 trips to New Hampshire for NASCAR's premier racing series, it's tough to find a weekend that has meant more to the national landscape.

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Why we care: With more drivers vying for the Nextel Cup championship than have ever before been contending so late in the season, Sunday's Sylvania 300 could have a dramatic effect on the pursuit of that prize.

But that's not the only aspect up for grabs this weekend. The importance of the race -- and the millions of onlookers who are sure to observe it -- has lured President Bush to Loudon for a stop in an as-yet-undecided location in his quest for re-election.

For more news from around the nation, click here.

The deal: Kevin Pravencher of the Union Leader says Ricky Craven will say "goodbye" to his legion of fans in the Nextel Cup Sylvania 300 on Sunday on the one-mile oval that launched his NASCAR career.

Ricky Craven

Why we care: Craven resigned his Cup ride in July with the No. 32 Tide Chevrolet team and is looking for a new job. However, Craven will make his debut this Saturday in the Craftsman Truck Series in the Sylvania 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Craven said the Truck Series appearance was actually finalized this past January. Now it may open an avenue to a full-time job for the Cup veteran.

"I'd love nothing better than a strong performance," said Maine native Craven. "A win on Saturday and challenge for a win on Sunday. That would be a perfect ending for me. Sunday I'll be tipping my hat to the fans of New England and saying, 'thanks for the support.' "

For more NASCAR news on Craven, click here.

The deal: Viv Bernstein of the New York Times says Mark Martin has finished second in the points race in NASCAR's premier series four times, so he knows the excruciating gut turn of coming close but not close enough.

Mark Martin

Yet nothing, he said, compared to what he went through in the Nextel Cup Series this season.

"It's been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Martin said.

Why we care: Martin began the season with a blown engine seven laps into the Daytona 500 and was in last place in the points standings. But with five top-five finishes in the past seven races, Martin pulled off what few would have expected. He climbed to eighth place in points to qualify for the title chase, which begins Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway.

For more NASCAR news on Martin, click here.

The deal: Kevin Provancher of the Union Leader says Jeremy Mayfield's status in the Chase is crystal clear. He is the "outsider" and the 35-year-old has thrown down the gauntlet.

Jeremy Mayfield

"We're in as the underdog and we have nothing to lose," said Mayfield. "We're going to run as hard as we can possibly run. A lot of them guys are going to be points racing and we're not going to be doing that."

Why we care: With his win last Saturday night in Richmond, Mayfield leaped into ninth place of the NASCAR Nextel Cup's Chase for the Championship. Only the top 10 in points are eligible for the title under the new format and it all starts this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway.

For more NASCAR news on Mayfield, click here.